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Permalink Reply by Eric mason on April 15, 2011 at 2:37pm

i use a hot moist towel for the steam wand only! and store on top of the machine away from anyway coffee ground material...a seperate dry towel of a different color is used for wiping out portafilters and drip tray. i also agree that the espresso machine area is to be squeaky clean ALL THE TIME!

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Permalink Reply by Katrina Dodge on August 3, 2011 at 3:32pm

We stick the steam wand towel right under the espresso machine, as there's a good 6 inches between the tray and the counter.

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Permalink Reply by Ian C. on August 13, 2011 at 10:50pm

We have ours on top the espresso machine; not the warm part where we keep the demitasses, but the high part closest to the front. We sanitize it regularly, normally to refresh the wetness

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Permalink Reply by Kirk on August 28, 2011 at 6:23pm

I believe the issue is health safety and milk residue on the towel reaching warm enough temperatures to grow bacteria. This is why Starbucks has sanitizer solution - to thwart the growth of bacteria. Once bacteria begin growing then you're wiping your steam wand with a 'dirty' towel. Whatever you do, I believe changing very regularly and using exclusively for the steam wand are the keys. I also believe a sanitizer solution (that is changed regularly as well) make it that much more health safe.

Here in California everyone involved in food services of any kind had to be certified as of July 1st with a pretty thorough on-line training session that stressed the issues of cross-contamination, food safety. When it comes to dairy products it all boils down to temperature and sanitation. 

Keep the cloths for exclusive steam wand use, change regularly, rinse regularly, keep in sanitizer solution - I believe those are the best practices for the optimal health safety. 

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